Chicago – July 15, 2025
A team of three independent experts working for the United Nations’ top human rights body has announced their resignation, citing personal reasons and a desire for change. This is the first time members of the Commission of Inquiry on Israel and Palestinian areas have resigned together.
The announcement, made on Monday by the U.N.’s Human Rights Council, comes as violence continues in Palestinian areas, with the Israeli military’s attacks on Hamas and other militant groups showing little signs of stopping.
Israel has often criticized the commission, refusing to allow the experts to visit the region or work with them in any way. A spokesperson for the Council, Pascal Sim, explained that the resignations were a significant event, being the first time such a group resignation had occurred since the council’s creation in 2006.
The experts said their decision to resign had “nothing to do with any external events or pressure,” but that it was a good opportunity to reorganize the commission.
